Recorder



June 3 1924.

F. L. MARTINDA LE RECORDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Nov. l, 1915 I I I 1 I g June 3 1924.

. Re. 15,854 F. L. MARTNDLE REACORDER Original Filed Nov. l,

l915 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 3. 1924- Re. F. Ll MARTINDLE RECORDER Original Filed Nov. 1, .1915 E Sheets-Sheet 5 e ing at Philadelphia, in the county Reisued June 3, 1924.

UNTEp STATES FRANK L. mTINDAIE, OF PHILADELPEIA, ?EHHSYLV'ANIA.

aacoumn Original Ilo. 1,244,113, dated October 23, 1917, Serial mo. 58,959, filed November-1, 1915. App11cation for l reissue filed August 27, 1928. Serial No. 659393.

To all whom 'it ma ura mem Be it known. that I, FRANK L. MARTIN- DALE, a citizen of the United States,- residof Philahave indelphia and State of Pennsylvana,

ot which vented a new and useful Recorder, the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a device 'whereby the summation of a variable uantity may be.-indicated or recorded, an the prnciple of its operation, broadly stated, resides in adding to the summation at predetermined intervals amounts equal to the value or rate of the quantity at the particular time. The invention is particularly applicable to meters for measuring the flow p of liquids and other fluids and comprises an arm or member arranged to Swing or move in a given path at predetermined intervals and a cam controlled by or associated with an element responsive to the varying rate of flow, whereby 'the amount of movementof the arm islimited to corres ond to the rate of flow, together with an in icating, recording or registering device by which the total movement of the arm or member is shown.- The invention further consists in the details of `construction shown, described "and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a part front view, part vertica section through an embodiment of my invention whereb the flow 'of liquid may be recorded on a. dia Figura 2 is a. view at right angles to Figura 1. igure 3 is a dete-il of a preferred form of ratchet Construction between the time controlled lever and the gears that rotate the pen arm.` Figure 4 is a frontview showing the invention applied to a steam or gas flow meter, the dial, dial plate and pen' being removed. Figure 5 'is a front view of the diel, dial plate and pen with which the dev 6 is a front view of an em i diagrammatic vice shown in Figure 4 is rovided. ;Figura ment ;wher-em the flow through a steam or gas flow meter is registered on a counting mechanism;

7 is a fragmentary vertical section to Figure 6. 'Figure- 8 is a. front elevati'on showing in detail the relation of the clock, ratchet, counter and 'cam shown in Figures 6 and 7 i Figura 9 is a perspective view of one form of counting mechanism which may be used. Figura 10 is an elevation of a preferred Figur-e corresponding e mentar openings 9.

meehanism whereby the clockwork is caused to actuate an arm u on which the operation of the device depen s., Fi re 11 is a fragfront elevation o the dial.

" Simi ar reference characters indicate like .which is attached a flexible Connector 12, is counterbalanced by a weight 13, and by the medium of the drum 14, imparts' angular movement to the shaft 15 corresponding to the variatons in depth of the liquid in the up r chamber.

A fi'oat 10, to, the rod .11 ofhe shaft 15 is journaled in a framelS carred by the base 1 9, and has rigid therewith a cam-`2O cut to correspond to the actual amount of liquid that passes the weir be seen that the cam turns clockwise from the initial position (Fig. -1) as the liquid rises in the upper chamber. Also journaled in the frame 18 at a point abovthe shaft 15 is ashaft 22, on which a cam-striking arm 23 is loosely mounted, said arm preferably including a roller 24 bywhich friction upon the cam is lessened. A spring 25, anchored at 26, normall 'holds the arm in eng'agement with a suita le stop 28, .the latter being so located that when the cam is in the initial sition shown no movement canbe given t e arm 23 in either direction.

Rigid with the shaft 22 is the ratchet wheel or disk 30, and loosely mounted on the shaft 'is-the lever rocking arm 31 integral with the cam-striking arm 23,- and the arm 31 is adapted to impart counterclockwise step-by-step movement to the wheel 30 by means of the roller 32 and inclined face 33. The arm, of course, turns freely' about the wheel in the opposite direction., As is obvious, various other types of ratchets may be used; Any counter-clockwise movement of the shaft 22 is transgears 34 and 35 to' the pen shaft 36 and pen 38, the latter of whch sweeps across a chart 39 (Fig. '11) on an arc assing through the center thereof. The c art is attached to a di al 40 that is preferabl rotated in a counterclockwise direction y a time controlled mechanism 41' of any .desired construction; and the same mechanism elevates at predetermined intervals (say each minute) a lever 42 from which the lever 31, including the cam-striking arm 23,'is actuated by the spring link 43, that afiords the resiliency necessary .to compensate for the varying throw of the 'arm 23 against the cam-putting it another way, the time controlled mechanism at predetermined intervals draws the arm 23 counterclockwise (Fig. 1) from the stop 28 until it strikes the particular portion of the surface of the cam 20 whichis then presented toward it.

Any desired mechanism may be employed for swinging the lever 42, but that shown in Figure 10 is deemed preferable. As indicated therein, the minute hand shaft 50 of themechanism 41 has attached thereto a cam 51 upon which the lever 42 rests, the latter being ivoted at 52. This constr'uction is both c eap` and reliable.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that any suitable movement of the arm 23 (and of the pen) is proportional to the rate of flow of the liquid at that instant; that the successive movements added together are proportional' to the total flow for the period; and that the pen will scribe on the chart, when the latter is drawn to the proper scale, a spiral-like curve 53 (Fig. 11) the radial distance of any point of which from the origin is expressive of the total flow. It will alsobea pparent that the inclination of the curve at an point in respect to the corresponding ra ius of the chart, is a measure of the rate of flow at the particular instant.

The present invention may also be applied to a, stea-m or gas flow meter 'in the manner shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which indicates a. well known type of meter having a pointer 61 Secured to a shaft 62 and arranged to swee in clockwise direction over a dial 63 calbrated in accordance with the rate of flow through the meter. A cam 20 similar to that previousl described is rigid with the shaft 62 and imits the throw of a, bell crank 64 about the pivot 65. As before, a spring 'normally holds the cam-striking arm of the bell crankin initial position, and the latter is swung against the cam at intervals by the intermittently actuated arm 68 of a time controlled device 69 through the medium of the spring 70 and link 71.

Loosely mounted on. a shaft 72 and pivotally connected to the link 71 is a. ratchet lever 73 from which motion is communicated by a roller 74 to the ratchet disk 75 in the manner heretofore described. A train of reduction gearing 76 78 transmits this movement in clockwise direction .to the pen shaft 79 and pen 80 (F ig. 5) jby which the recording curve is drawn on the chart 81, it being understood that the latter is rotated by the main shaft 82 of the time mechanism. Both meter and recording device may be mounted in a single case 83 of suitable formJ In the embodiment shown in F igures 6, 7, 8 and 9, the invention is again applied to a steam or gas meter 60, a counter being used in lieu of the nen and chart. The intermittently actu-ated arm 68 of the clock 69, in this instance, acting on the spring 70 swings the arm 85, shaft 86, cam-strikng arm 87 and ratchet arm `88 (the two last mentioned members preferably being integral) in counterclockwise direction against the tension of the spring 89, that normally holds the arm 87 in engagement with the stop 90. This movement is transmitted by means of the roller or ball 91 to the ratchet disk 92, the latter being Secured to the unit shaft 93 of the counter 94, ofany desired form (Figure 9), the numerals beng readable through small holes in the front plate 95 (Figura 6). A dial 97 is calibrated in accordance With the varying movement imparted to the pointer 98 at the different rates of flow of fluid, and the pointer shaft 99 bears the cam 100 cut in accordance with the said varying movement whereby the angular throw of the arm 87 is made to correspond to the rate indication of the pointer, or in other words, to the actual rate of flow through the meter at all times. The summation of the successive movements of the arm 87 is of course directly readable from the counter at any time.

The words exhibited and exhibitin ,i as used in' the claims, are intended to be t e equivalent respectively of recorded, registered or indicated and recording, registering, or indicating.

Itis clear that many changes in the construction without departing from the spirit of my inventionmay be made. I do not, therefore, 'wish to be limited otherwise than as indicated by the subjoined claims.

It is of importance in connection with my device to know that all movements in-the cam striking arm 87 must be accurately controlled, in some pplications by very delicate force. Simplicity of design istherefore of great value in reducing friction and lost moto-n.

It may be observed that' the relative position and design of the-'cam striking arm and cam permit an intermittent contact of the said arm with cam 100, without causing a displacement of the cam, d"e to reaction from a contact of suflicient force to cause registration of the result. In the preferred design this-principle is accomplished by designng the contact portions o arm and cam to operate in the same plane. The cam strikng arm 87 is loosely supported at a point which permits the contact point thereof, represented by roller 24, to operate in an arc, which will pass approximately through the center of cam support set 99.

By this simple Construction, arm 87 contacts with cam 100, always at an approximate tangent of the surface of the cam. This Construction results in practically no displacement, and therefore dispenses with the necessity 'of a lockin deVice or other control for preventing alse registration, due to this cause.

It is also important to note that the operation of the arin which Contacts with mova-ble cam at redetermined intervals is of a momentaryc aracter. That is to say, it does not contact with the edge of the ,cam a sufficiently long time to result in blocking the action of the cam, or'to permit the cam by mo-ving during the time o contact to make a false registration through the arm. Momentary contact at predetermined intervals is accomplished 'in the preferred design by obtaining only one cam contact per revolution of cam 51 mounted on minute hand shaft 50. This Construction, it will be observed, permits a relatively long rest period for lever 42. Arm 23 in turn has a rest period relatively longer than lever 42 because spring link 43 must first overcome the inital tensionin spring 25 before lever 42 can be moved from initial position. Upon returning to initial position, the spring action is reversed, causing arm 23 to return to sto 28 before lever 42 has returned to rest position. The initial tension in spring 25 is necessary to normally hold arm 23 against stop 28. As the speed of minute hand shaft 50 is constant, arm 23 is by this mechanism permitted 'to remain at rest while minute hand shaft 50 is turning through the major portion of any one revolution and moved to and from initial position during the relatively short,

time remaining to complete this revolution. Since minute hand shaft 50 is time cont'olled, arm 23 is held in initial position the majority of the time, the period of contact being relatively very small. To make the period of cam contact momentary at predetermined intervals, that is, short enough to produce no appreciable error during the period of contact, the time for revolving minute hand'shaft 50 should bear a direct relation to the frequency of rate fluctuation of shafts 15 or shaft 99. The predetermined interval suggested in this mechanismis one minute.

It may also be observed that it is impos-` sible to obtain momentary contact of arm 23 -at predetermined intervals from a continuously moving element 50 unless means for holding the arm in initial position during the majority of the time is provided, because both contacts not predetermined may-otherwise be transmitted to cam striking arm, particularly when cam 20 is Operating at low rates of flow. This means in the preferred design is disassociated from the continuously moved member to overcome the restrictions imposed by the critical angle of the cam 51, when operated by the limited power available, such as a clock spring, because the segment of arcicausing actual movement of arm 23 intomomentary contact is so small, that if the-entire movement were left to cam 51 alone, the angle of rise Would be so nearly vertical as to seriously block the cam action. Precise control of the contact arm is much improved by the. elimina- .tion of the friction and lost motion, due to the extra pa-rts of a looking device which is i unnecessary in this construction. It is further improved by removing wearing arts from imn ediate contact with arm 23, t ereby insuring full return to initial position.

The structure of one spring pulling against the other results in the arm being brought against the cam without a forceful blow to break the force of any blow which thear may make in returning to its stop. Accurate movement of the registering devicef is improved by holding the arm at rest between movements into momentary cam contact by a stationary support detached from all moving parts.

This. Construction permits 'the pressure controlled cam to move at all times thereby eliminating re istration errors due to the use of a looking evice as used in previous designs. False movements may be transmitted to the pressure cam by the mechanism re.

' sponsive to rate of flow and movable with the cam, whenthe cam is locked' for the period of arm movement into cam contact, because rate of flow indications may change during this period. When flow indications do change the mechanism responsive to rate of" flow, usually a float, Will not be' in equilibrium; Upon release of looking device, the

momentumof this mechanism will carryit past the normal rate position indicate at time of releases. These undesired movements are eliminated when the necessity for locking the cam has been removed.

Thus it is that my device provides for the oppositeof any structure wherein the rate of flow cam carries the registering arm in contact except during the intervals when the masurement is taken of cam position, and it is a great improvement over the device in 'which the arm is under control of a constantly moving part, such as'a time driven cam limited in its movement by a rate of flow cam, so located and shaped that the looking device is necessary to prevent false registrations.

By initial position in the claims that follow, I refer to that position of the cam striking arm which it assumes when under the influence of a zero condition of whatever instrumentality it is measuring.

V Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In combination With an instrumentality concerning which information is desired and a member movable at all times as a given condition of the instrumentality changes, a cam operatively connected with and movable with the member, said cam being shaped in accordance with the value of the condition of the different points in the movement of the member, a second member movable at predetermined intervals from a normal definite stopped initial position into 'engagenent with the cam, a movable member of an exhibiting device, means for retaining the second member in said definite stopped initial position, and means for imparting to the said movable member of the exhibiting device, a movement representative of the summation of the several movements of the second member, Whereby the summation of the condition may be exhibited, said second member having means for actuating it at timed intervals, said means adapted to stand at rest with relation to the second member except at the said intervals, whereby a momentary cam contact may be provided.

2. In combination with an instrumentality concerning which information is desired and a member movable at all times as a given condition of the instrumentality changes, a cam operatively connected with and movable with the member, said cam being shaped in accordance with the value of the condition at the different points in the movement of the member, a second member movable at predetermined intervals from an initial position into engagement with the cam, a movable member of an exhibiting device, and means for imparting to the last mentioned movable member a movement representative of the summation of the several movements of the second member, whereby the summation of the condition may be exhibited. a stop for said second member, a spring to hold it against said stop to positively define saidinitial position, and an actuating device spring-connected to said member and means for moving the device at timed intervals to draw the member into 'engagement with said cam, and to release said member the remainder of the time.

3. In `combination with an instrumentality concerning which information is desired, a rotatable shaft, and means for rotating the shaft as a given condition of the instrumentality changes, a cam operatively connected with and movable at all times with the shaft, said cam beingshaped in accordance with the value of thecondition at the ditferent points in the movement of the shaft, a member,'means for moving said member at predetermined intervals from a normal definitely stopped initial 'osition into engagement with the cam an means for releasably retaining said member in said normal position, an exhibiting device, having a movable member, and means for imparting to the last mentioned movable member a movement representative of the summation of the several movements of the member, that moves at intervals, Whereby the summation of the condition may be exhibited, and mounting means for said cam, and the member that engages the cam, adapted to enforce a movement of said member in substantially the plane of the cam.

4, In combination with an instrumentality concerning which information is desired, a rotatable shaft, and means for rotating the shaft as a given condition of the instrumentality changes, a cam operatively connected with and movable at all times with the shaft, said cam being shaped inaccordance with the value of the condition at the different points in the movement of the shaft, a second shaft, a cam-striking arm loosely secured to 'the second shaft, means formoving the cam-striking arm at predetermined intervals from a normal definitely stopped initial position into engagement momentarily with the cam, the amount of the several movements being determined by the cam, and means for r-eleasably retaining said member in said normal position, an exhibiting device having a movable member, means for im arting to the last mentioned movable mem er a movement representative of the summation of the several movements of the intermittently movable member whereby the summation of the condition may be exhibited, and means for rendering the movement of the exhibiting member intelligible, said means for moving the camstriking arm comprising a continuously moved member, and an energizing member for the cam-striking arm, said energizin member being operatively dis-associate from the continuonsly moved member except at predetermined intervals.

5. In combination with an instrumentality concerning which information is desired, a rotatable shaft, and means for rotating. the shaft as a given condition of the instrumentality changes, a cam operatively connected with and movable at all times with the shaft, said cam being shaped in accordance with the *value of the condition at the different points in the movement of the shaft, a second shaft, a cam-striking arm loosely secured tothe second shaft, means for positively moving the cam-striking arm llU at predetermined intervals into engagemen't --momentarily with the cam, means for withu member a movement representative of the summaton of the several movements of the intermittently movable member, whereby the summation of the condition may be exhibited, and means for rendering the movement of the exhibiting member intelligible, said means for moving the cam-striking arm comprising a continuousl moved member,' and an energizing mem er for the camstriking arm, said energizing member being operatively dis-associated from the continuously moved member except at predetermined intervals.

6. A fluid flow meter com rising a shaft movable `'in response to the c anges of rates of flow of the fluid, a cam operatively connected with and movable at all times 'with the shaft, said cam being shaped in accordance with the amount of flud passing the meter at the different-positions of the fluid responsive shaft, a pivoted striking arm and time controlled means for swinging the arm from a normal definitely stopped initial position in which it is out of engagement except at zero position with the cam to a position in which it `is in engagement with said cam at predetermined intervals, and means for withdrawing the arm to a 'definitely stopped position, whereby a series of forward-and-b'ack movements is imparted thereto correspondin to the rates of flow of fluid at the particu ar instants, and means for determining the summation of the several movements, said time controlled means having a continuously rotated member, a member directly o erating the striking arm, and intermittent y operative mechanism intermediate said two members of the time controlled means.

7., In combination with an instrumentalit concernin which information is desire and a mem er movable as a given condition of the instrumentality changes, a cam o eratively connected with and movable at al times with the member, said cam being shaped in accordance with the value "of con ition at the diflerent points in the movement of the member, a second member movable at redetermined intervals from a normal de nitely stopped initial position into engagement momentarily with the cam, and means for so movin said second member and means for so hol ing it in normalpositon, the amount of the several movements beng determined by the cam, an exhibiting device having a movable member, and means for mparting to the last mentioned movable member a movement representative of the summation of the several movements of the second 'member, whereby the summation of the condition may be exhibited.

8. A fluid flow" meter comprising a shaft movable in response to the changes 'of flow of the fluid, 'a cam operatively connected With and movable with the shaft, said cam being shaped in accordance with the amount of fluid passing the meter at the .different positions of the fluid responsive shaft, a second shaft, a cam striking arm loosely mounted thereon, a spring normally holding the arm' at an angle corresponding to position of engagement with the cam, when said cam is at zero flow position, a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on the shaft, time controlled means for causingthe cam-striking arm to move at intervals into engagement with the cam, means for imparting to the ratchet wheel a movement corresponding to the summation of the individual movements of the cam-striking arm, and means operated by th movement of the ratchet wheel to express the quantity of fluid that has passed th meter.

9. In combination with an instrumentality concerning which information is desired and a member movable as a gven condition -of the instrumentality changes, a cam operatively connected with and movable at all times with the member, said cam being shaped in accordancewith the value 'of the condition at the difl'erent points in the move-` ment of the member, said cam also being shaped and positioned to per'mit intermittent contact of a second member without displacement by said second member, a second member, means for moving it at redetermined intervals from a normal' efinitely stopped initial position into engagement with the cam, means for withdrawing the second member from such engagement, a, movable member of an-exhi biting device, and means for imparting to the last mentioned movable member a movement representative of the summation of the several movements of the second member, whereby the summation of the condition maybe exhibited.

10. In combination with an instrumentality concerning which information is desired, a rotatable shaft, and means for rotating the the \shaft, as a given condition, of the instrumena movable member, and means for imparting to the last mentioned movable member a movement representative of the summ'ation of the several movements of the said second movable member, whereby the summation of the condition may be exhibited.

11. In combination with an instrumentality concernin which information is desired, a rotata le shaft, and means for rotating the shaft at all times as a given condition of the instrumentality changes, acam operatively connected With and movable at all times with the shaft, said cam being shaped in acordance with the value of the condition at the different points in the movement of the shaft, a second shaft in the same plane as the above mentioned rotatable shaft, an arm provided with a cam-striking member loosel -mounted on said second shaft and pcsitione to contact .with said cam, a

ratchet wheel mo'vable with the sheftlast mentioned, and operated by said striking member, intermittently operated 4 time c on v trolled means permitting the cam-striking arm to be held at rest in a normal definitely stopped position and moving the cam-striking arm at predetermined intervals into engagement momentarily with the same,- the 'rest periods being longer than the moving 

